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Fall Challenge #1: No TV for a week (how'd you do?)

Last Thursday, I wrote about doing weekly fall challenges (think: write a handwritten letter, go see a movie alone) and was psyched that you guys were up for it. So, the first challenge was to NOT watch TV for one week. How did you do? Here's our recap...
First of all, it was a tough week for that particular challenge—with the presidential debates were on, big sports games, and all the new fall shows. But still! We stayed the course!

Our usual weeknight routine is to put Toby to bed, catch up on work, have dinner ourselves and watch TV. Not to say I don’t love TV. It’s definitely an art form—Mad Men, Seinfeld, 30 Rock, Girls—and totally relaxing at the end of a long day, but recently I found myself plopped on the sofa watching random things on TiVo. I was watching shows every night without even thinking; it had become a habit.

But now that we weren't watching TV, our nights were different and felt longer (in a good way). During dinner, instead of flipping on a show, we'd have great conversations about life, love, parenting; Alex told me stories about his childhood that I had never heard before. It was awesome to create space to just TALK.
We subscribe to a bunch of magazines—Martha Stewart Living, Elle, New York Magazine, Bon Appetit, Budget Travel, the list goes on—and I never seem to have time to read them. But this week, I read them cover to cover!
We played board games, like Mastermind.
Alex taught me to play After Hours by the Velvet Underground on the guitar. My daydreamy plan is to sing it around a campfire next summer (forgetting for a moment that I hate camping).
Every night we would read in bed. One of life's greatest pleasures is climbing under the covers with a big pile of books to flip through, don't you think?
We also laughed at how different our books are. Can you guess whose is whose? :)

What about you?! Did you manage to make it without watching TV? What did you do instead? I'd love to hear...And if not, which show made you cave? The next challenge coming is right up!

P.S. Although this week was amazing, I have to admit, I can't wait to catch up on The Mindy Project:)

I didn't keep your challenge, because I had just started my own -- TV only on the weekends (when I don't want to watch it anyway!) It's been great. Amazing how adding a limitation can feel so freeing, eh?

unfortunately, my week has been full of TV. we were in NYC for a week (we live in Denmark now) so we had to catch up on a few things we have been missing on TV :) I actually think watching TV together is a good thing for us, we seem to bond beautifully while cuddling in the sofa & watching TV before going to bed.

I cancelled my cable television subscription months ago. I find I read more ( a lot of blogs and some books ), spend more time outdoors in the garden, rid my bicycle, and more time with the wife just sitting outdoors. Good riddance!

So, I watched TV this week-- and Up All Night actually had a bit where their TV broke, and they had to have... CONVERSATION... over dinner. She had to come up with talking points! It sounds just like what you and Alex did, only for them, it was not intentional! So funny!

I loved this challenge. I did cave once, I watched the Today Show for about ten minutes so I could watch the debate re-cap (by the way ... I should always so that, much more efficient). I opened my doors and the windows and relaxed. Although I've been watching Friday Night Lights on netflix and I'm excited to start that up again.

I failed terribly. First, I said I'd cut out TV shows, but could still watch movies. Then I got swept up by Dawson's Creek, Girls, Downton Abbey, and Take Home Chef. I'm actually going to try this again, maybe just not cold turkey.

I find not having cable really helps with not watching T.V (it's so expensive now anyway). I catch up on shows online sometimes, but find I read/cook/walk/listen and play music a lot more when I can't just switch on a T.V

So I didn't really do the challenge BUT last night I was going to a writing workshop at 7pm so I decided rather than going home and vegging out for the few hours before that, I would go home, turn on some music and work on a project I'd been putting off. I got so much done! And when I got home from the workshop, again I resisted the urge to turn on the tube and again knocked out some blogging and read for a bit before turning out the light. It is shocking how much of a time and motivation(and knowledge/creativity) suck TV really is. I'm commiting to turning it off more often now!

Ha! Out of the pairs of yours and Alex's books, I've recently read the first two of your choices and the second two of Alex's...OK, I've only read the first chapter of "Thinking Fast and Slow," but I'm planning to read more... :)

Failed! My husband was out of town so it was my chance to watch what I wanted. Old episodes of Project Runway, The Mindy Kaling Show, and the Iconoclasts were waiting for me. I had to take advantage. I'll be up for the next challenge, though! I promise!

I haven't had a television in my house for 5+ years now. Frankly, my life is totally full and I don't know how people have time for it. You're right - it makes you pay more attention to people or to actually just relaxing.

so... we have cable, but nothing fancy. no dvr, no "extra packages"...

but while i was going to florida last weekend to my dad's house, i read an article on the plane about "girls" on HBO, perused his HBO on demand channel, watched an episode, and i was HOOKED! my boyfriend and i ended up downloading the whole first season and watched it in 2 nights. talk about WATCHING A LOT OF TELEVISION!

epic fail.

(but the show is SO good! and SO real. life of a 20-something in new york city really IS like that... hannah's apartment looks SO similar to my first apartment. old appliances, mismatched EVERYTHING, looks sort of grown up but still college-dorm-ish... i just love everything about the show)

I was actually coming down with a cold when you posted about the challenge, and didn't see it until I had re-watched ALL of season one of Downton Abbey, and half of season two (in one day)! But I think there are times when a Masterpiece Theater marathon is good for your (sniffly) soul :)

I'm usually not a big television watcher, but this month I'm doing a "30 in 30" challenge at my bike/barre studio and have done 27 classes in October so far! By the time I get home, I'm much more likely to veg out watching Daily Show/Colbert Report on the DVR than read.

I tried my very best to limit TV however I did peek at some of the Giants game while it was on! I felt the biggest challenge was when my roommates (who were not participating in the challenge) were watching TV and I wanted to spend time with them, but not have to ask to turn the TV off.

I'm going to call it a success because I didn't watch a full episode of any show, which is a huge plus!

How fabulous! I'm going to order "The happiness project" from my local library..heard so much about it. Also, I'm a crocheter and I LOVE that white and blue crochet blanket seen above. I wonder if you might consider telling showing us a full shot of it and where it came from? Love your blog!

I'm 35 weeks preg so opting out of tv + sitting on the couch was tough!! I made it until late last night when I binged for 3 hours on "call the midwife" an awesome and addicting PBS show that has posted full episodes online. Other than that I spent my time in my future little boy Walter's room organizing and planning and thinking of him being here. I tried to write some thank you notes from my showers, and my husband and I chatted in bed which was simply lovely. He didn't do the tv fast so I had some good old fashioned me time, which was awesome, relaxing and very needed! Oh and I treated every bath and shower like a spa expierrece, used my best soaps and lotions which made every day feel so much more luxurious :)

I went for a year without TV when I first moved in to my apartment. It was a little rough for the first week or two, but then it became enjoyable. Instead of flipping on the tv without thinking about it, I would buy episodes of my favorite shows and watch them on DVD--but only when I purposefully chose to. There's a difference. Another great benefit was the absence of NOISE. I feel that as a society were are WAY over stimulated. It's nice to be comfortable in the silence.

I have since gotten married and moved into a house. We decided to get digital rabbit ears so we could watch the news and the weather (and maybe a show or two on non-cable channels.) We still make a point of turning on the TV only when we know there is something important to watch.

I would recommend going without a tv for a month. It's amazing how much better you feel, how much more you accomplish and how much more creative you can be when you do so.

I love Was She Pretty. Leanne Shapton's loose drawings coupled with her dry sentences about love and jealousy are delightful. I keep going back to it again and again. I think you get more mileage out of picture books, but then again I'm a little biased :)

Oh, and Joanna, After Hours is one of the BEST Velvets song! It's going to play inside my head for the rest of the day.

I did this a few of weeks ago, no tv for 2 weeks (went camping with family).

My husband and I basically reconnected. We talked nightly, reminisced, discussed about practically everything (politics, our kids, etc). We slept earlier than usual too. It was a really good experience.

I didn't really do this challenge--I don't have a TV, but I DO have Netflix! It gets me in trouble, as I just finished Once Upon A Time (I KNOW it's campy but i loves it), I'm all caught up on my Parks and Rec, and 30 Rock just put season 6 up!! BUT if my boyfriend doesn't come over that evening I refuse to turn on the computer (I sit in front of one for 8 hours a day!). I've got a huge stack of books to read--right now I'm on a Malcolm Gladwell kick. A few of the ones you showed are downright intriguing! I'm excited for the next challenge though--I've been making more of an effort to send out Just Because cards/handwritten letters to my friends. It's such a beautiful little gift :)

I prefer the internet to tv. At nights me and my man cuddle up in the sofa with our laptop and spend a few good hours in Stumble Upon (which is totally like TV zapping only way more interesting and personalized!) or play silly online games. The internet is much more interactive so we have that communication with each other that doesn't seem to exist when we turn on the tv. (also, I keep the remote far far away from the couch so it makes it a real pain to grab it and turn it on!)

we got rid of our television about 6 years ago right when we graduated college and moved in together. We had decided that we needed to just talk and read and not waste time in front of a tv. So far we love it! And now that we have our son we're even happier that we don't have tv. We do watch some movies from time to time, usually on our ipads or laptop...its kind of a treat

This is such a great idea. And I love these photos of you two. Years ago, I challenged my husband to a game of Mastermind (this was actually back when we were dating); he figured out how to BEAT THE GAME every time. I guess he's the ultimate mastermind. Now, we're big into Jenga. :)

My husband grew up in a super conservative fam without a TV. He wanted to try it when we got married (11 years ago). I come from a family of TV addicts...I thought he was crazy. It took me, seriously, 6 months to a year plus to completely go through withdrawal, but it was the best thing we've ever done. That was in the dial up internet (no streaming netflix, or watching your favorite shows on the internet). So it was literally. no. tv. We just got a real TV 6 months ago, but no cable and I have to say no TV with kids is harder than without. We could go out, exercise, etc. Once you have kids you are kindof stuck at home in brainmelt after they are in bed for the night. We played more games, read more books, our relationship was stronger, got lots of home projects done. But when our friends would ask what we did all the time we would say "have sex." :)

That is too sweet! I love this idea. I feel like sometimes life gets in the way and I don't get to watch TV, whether I want to or not. Since I haven't been watching it much I find myself wanting to watch it less and less. Oddly, I would rather read! (When a couple years ago I hated reading!)

it was so easy! i dont watch tv that much anyway if i do its via the internet so i just didnt do that and staid online did homework and worked that was pretty much my week. I need a harder challenge! lol this is fun. its making my week less stressful

I love your fall challenge idea! I played along, but only half-heartedly. I tried to keep TV alternatives at the forefront of my mind, and every night I made myself get out of the house or work on a new project at home. I went to the gym, worked on knitting a scarf, took numerous dog walks, and started reading a spooky thriller. I caved for the debate, a night at the drive-in (does that count?), and finally spent a lazy weekend morning catching up on Hulu. Reagrdless, being aware of my TV habits made the week so much more fun and productive.

P.S. My husband and I often have "luddite nights" when we turn off our phones, don't watch TV, or look at the computer. These are awesome when you feel in a rut, or just overwhelmed with life in general.

"Once you have kids you are kindof stuck at home in brainmelt after they are in bed for the night. We played more games, read more books, our relationship was stronger, got lots of home projects done. But when our friends would ask what we did all the time we would say "have sex." = haha, i love it.

We made this commitment too! We've been going strong for 1 year! We do have Netflix, but commit to only watch when we want to watch a new episode of a show we love, or to watch a documentary. but our dinners are better!

I wish I had known about this! I am unfortunately one of those people that work hard during the day and come home to watch the tv without really watching it. I'm going to try! And mastermind??? Played it all the time as a kid and now my husband and I make it a tradition every week! We absolutely LOVE trying to outsmart eachother.... makes it so fun.

i love this little challenges, i'm working on a few points of my resolutions for this year.About not watching tv and tv shows, i watch old episodes of gossip girl during lunch with my mom and for dinner we watch old episodes of criminal minds, those are our fav shows, we also watch grimm, once upon a time and revenge, and that's it, i'm not a tv person like i used to be, i prefer spend my time reading or listening music, and sometimes drawing :)

Easy as pie :) I haven't actually owned a TV in 3 years and never miss it. I'll watch the occasional movie, but usually I'm busy spending time with people or getting errands done or being out among the community...or reading! Any down time is dedicated to a) running or b) reading. I often wish I could sleep less so I could stay up later reading. (and the male brain is a great book, FYI -- just finished it!)

We don't have a TV and don't do any of the other things (Netflix, Hulu, etc) so this was not really a challenge. I actually have no idea when people watch TV, I feel like my day is so full as it is (and I don't even have a kid yet). Typically we both work a bit on the later side of things and come home around 7:30pm. I cook dinner while we catch up on our days and then we eat together and talk more. We both love talking to each other - maybe that is what takes up all the time? After dinner we clean up together and then it is getting kind of late. I usually get back online to do some work as does the hubby, for just a little bit to do some email, and then I head into bed to read magazines, books, whatever. He is usually on his ipad reading the news (he is a news fanatic). Throughout all this we continue to chit chat...and all of sudden it's really late and we need to go to sleep. If we don't go running in the morning we will go after work, which only pushes the time later by an hour.

This was a hard one for me. I did not go the whole week without TV, but I was more aware of the amount I watched and what I chose to watch. I started reading When we were Romans and so far I am enjoying it. Looking forward to this week's challenge!

I went as far as telling my hubster that we should get rid of the tv! He didn't go for it...and truth be told, I wouldn't either. We did better this week though. This post was the nudge I'd be wanting to reduce our tv consumption. Thanks!

Okay, I totes missed this challenge (catching up on reader now...) because, well, life with a baby and a two year old is really busy but I LOVE this idea!

My hubby and I only have cable during the football season (for him...I'm not big into sports!)but I find that when we don't watch shows or movies we definitely spend a lot of time on the internet and our phones. Of course, we do a lot of talking, playing games and such as well as spending lots of time with our kids and listening to music but I think for this challenge to really make a change I'd have to go off the grid. I kind of like that idea.

That's a great challenge! We actually don't have cable, we just use the good old rabbit ears. It gives us enough to keep us entertained and to keep up with the local news but doesn't force us to have the vast selection cable offers.

And you're right about a good book at night! I love reading until i fall asleep ;)

We don't have tv, but watch netflix and movies from the library instead. Last week was really great, though! We went for walks and ate dinner at the actual dinner table (wow), which were actually really sweet, date-y types of activities. We read in bed, but we do that anyways. We're currently listening to George R.R. Martin's "A Dance with Dragons" as part of our "sleep hygene" time. Fun challenge! What's next?

good for you! it's amazing what you discover (or re-discover) when you turn off electronics. sometimes i have to scold myself for proclaiming rather unearned diatribes like, "i don't have time to read." well sure, some weeks get quite busy, but did i spend any time on pinterest? then yep, i had time to read!

i'd love to hear what you thought about some of those books. i almost picked up the happiness project & bird by bird the other day. if you regularly shared what you're reading, or what books you've particularly enjoyed lately, i'd be into that! : )

Since I moved out of my parents house 9 years ago I haven't owned a TV! I have to say I do watch some shows online every once in a while but it adds up to probably 3 hours max a week. I haven't watched anything this week :) I spend my time reading books, reading blogs, and going out dancing! Even when I visit someone that has a TV I find it somewhat boring to veg out in front of the TV...maybe when I get older ;)

We didn't have cable for 2 years when we first moved into the house, and it completely got us out of the habit of watching TV. Now we only really watch when there's something we want to watch (like the Presidential Debate, or the Daily Show's Coverage of the Presidential Debate (though husband does engage in some mindless TV watching more than I do.)

I was ill last week, so I missed your post about incorporating challenges. I suppose this is for the best, because when I have the flu, tv/movies is pretty much the only thing my muddled brain can handle! I can't wait to join in on the next challenge!

I actually find I watch less tv with a DVR. I know I won't miss the shows that are important to me, but I also feel less pressure to watch tv often to catch them. I'll have a big night of tv every now and then when I catch up on what I've recorded and, in the process, refrain from nights of random channel surfing.

This fall I took up the challenge of memorizing a poem a week and I've been really enjoying the process and the pleasure of truly knowing and feeling the words. It's so rare that any of us our challenged to use our brains in this capacity -- smart phones, computers, etc. And I'm secretly hoping for a blackout or something where I can recite poetry much to the delight (or snore!) of those around!

I watched the Presidential debates, which is weird because I'm Canadian. I watched a great show on Inida because I want to go there. I watched Downton and Boardwalk Empire on my computer (does that count?) and I watched an information show on who would be the better President for Canada. Not bad - no reality tv at least.

This sounds like a great challenge, unfortunately I was unaware of this! I've grown up watching TV all the time-at the dinner table my family and I always kept the TV on and nearby. I started college two months ago, and I haven't really watched TV since then other than spending a Sunday night on AMC (Breaking Bad, etc). I've been able to do more things like actually read every page of The NYTimes or spend more time outside. It's been very relaxing, sometimes I forget that I have a TV. I plan on doing this more often!

I haven't owned a TV for twenty years. I don't know how I'd fit in TV watching .....I don't have enough time too do all the things I want to now. But the best part of no TV is the talking...........you have time to talk to your partner and to your kids

I completed the challenge, but I had it easy -- we were in Hawaii :) Although there was one moment where we were tired and going to lay down in bed and zombiefy in front of the tube, but instead we went outside and laid out under the stars. It was sublime.

I should have stayed away from TV this week, as every show I watched cut out my poor little heart and stomped on it until it was a flat, sad thing.

I've been trying to cut down on my pointless watching--that is, if I don't have something specific I want to watch, don't bother. I'll still put movies on in the background since I tend to like that instead of music, and my mom and I sometimes have little dates where we hunker down with our tea and pick a new movie or documentary or something from netflix, but yeah.

I get in a lot of my magazine and book reading time during breakfast, actually. Ever since I was a kid I always loved to read at breakfast! Since my family is all on different schedules it's not really a chatting time, and I get through so much that way.

we started on friday so i'm technically not through a full week but it's been so great. i feel like i've accomplished so much more this week. we even cleaned out our junk drawer one night! also i just wanted to add that we listened to the debate on the radio and it was a new perspective. loved it! thanks for being a great instigator!

When I first saw your challenge, I thought WOW, NO WAY. But I kind of accomplished it by accident. I had a midterm yesterday, two today and still one more tomorrow... oh, and one next week. Yep, it's that time of year for us students. I haven't watched a single TV show this week, but they are sitting unchecked on my SideReel account taunting me, waiting to be watched! Ugh. So, I spent my week studying. Though it is amazing how much studying I can get accomplished when I'm not distracted with TV. :)

I did it and haven't slept more, felt more relaxed and been so tired at the same time in so long. It's like I was staying up late watching things instead of getting rest and now that I've started to catch up (went to sleep at 9pm last night), my body wants more! Over all, it was a great week. Lots of podcast - This American Life is my favorite. Two books - Wild by Cheryl Strayed and The false friend, both awesome reads. Any who, good challenge, and I will once again follow in your footsteps and have a poem memorized by next thursday.

Joanna, this is such a great challenge! I live in an apartment with three other girls...needless to say, TV is almost always on! But I try to make time for my book and magazine reading! I might have to try this one soon, though!

Uummm errrrr....I failed. I had to watch Projet Runway and for sure I am going to watch tonight. I think Chris is going to win, he is my favorite! And that is just not because his name is Chris and he is gay and my brother's name is Chris and he is gay, and he lives 4 towns over from me...well you get the idea. But I did start a new book this week called "Finding Nouf" by Zoe Ferraris.

hah, alex and i should be book buddies: before i even noticed these were his 'n hers photos i was all "ooo!" over the ones on the left. saving "our magnificent bastard tongue" to amazon wishlist now :)

Joanna, I love seeing all of the books that you and Alex are reading/have read. Can you share more about your favorite novels? There is way too much Non fiction in my life and I'd love to hear more about an avid readers recommendations.

I stopped watching TV last January and shortly afterwards relinquished my Foxtel subscription, then eventually gave my TV away, so we have been television-free for about eight months now! We read, chat and catch up on work, but I never really miss it. Sometimes we'll watch documentaries on our laptop :)

I have been living without TV since 9 years ago and it's ok, we have had plenty of time to read, talk, etc. Now we are thinking of changing this situation and buy one, because we have a toddler and we want that she doesn't feel as an asocial one with her friends!!! She has the right to watch Dora la exploradora, a succesful tv show here in Spain, starred by an intrepid girl :)

Ha ha, I love your different book choices, brilliant. I LOVE turning off the TV, listening to radio at night, all the shows are much better, more alternative, or just playing records. It's great. I think I have the same taste in books as Alex! I, Claudius is amazing and I'm excited to read The Better Angels of our nature, I keep hearing about it.

I actually don't watch TV at home, at all, and haven't done so for almost a year. I may watch the odd DVD (usually on my computer) or have a few seasons of something to watch if it sounds interesting (again on the computer) - but I cannot stand all the awful soaps, ads, ads for shows, and brainless and mundane reality tv shows. I think I just lost interest in it!Instead, I read a lot, talk to my friends, and do a lot of art. It's so much nicer and I don't feel guilty, for whatever reason.

It is funny because I literally never watch TV at home. We have a TV, but we usually only use it to watch the occasional DVD. I didn't try to follow the challenge, but for me it's easy not to watch TV at home (I was obligated to watch the debate for work at the office).

But of course, something mindless has to end up filling your time, and I am the world's worst internet/blog junkie. This one is my fave--I read and love it every day. But there are plenty others that I am not sure why I am still scrolling through back entries an hour later... And do I really need to read every 10-page article in the Atlantic/NY Times Magazine/NY Mag all the way through?

Hah! I totally hate camping too. And yes, the best part about being married is reading together in bed - as unsexy as that sounds! I could not give up TV for a week (we didn't even try!). We are WAY too into Breaking Bad at the moment to go a single day without it!

I don't really watch T.V. so this week was easy. We didn't have cable the first four years we were married. My husband is active duty military and he was gone far more than home and I wasn't really allowed to watch T.V. growing up. I will admit to watching pride & prejudice and Emma on repeat on my computer while working though! Seriously, endlessly, for about three years now. Possibly it is time to invest in another movie or show. I love the pride & prejudice movie with kiera knightly and the most recent bbc Emma mini-series!http://marginalia.wendywainwright.com

Oh, I meant to add that we do have cable now because we are living overseas, my husbamd is an Olmsted scholar and so he watches T.V. to work on his language skills.http://marginalia.wendywainwright.com

I've only read the post now and it seems to be a good idea if it wasn't for my addiction on TV. I only watch at night during week days, i'm one of those who love to fall asleep on couch watching TV.Maybe i could try step by step, first i'll start by going to bed earlier and read a book.

This first challenge was way too easy for me, haha, since I don't have a TV. I love listening to the radio, classical music in the morning, jazz in the evening, it's fun to be able to do other things while listening. However, I have to admit, I love visiting my parents, switching the TV on and watchich whatever is on, it's a little treat. xo

Well, we didn't exactly plan on going weeks without tv, but during our move, we cancelled our internet AND cable subscription. Not just one week. Week(s)! It was sad. I caught myself numerous times longing for the escape of television shows but after awhile, I'd say a few days or so, I stopped. And it was nice. I read more. My husband didn't just "zone" out at the end of the evening. We were so much more productive. It really is incredible the things you'll find to do when you're out of mind numbing options! Of course, that didn't stop us from setting up internet and cable at our new place, but it was an interesting experiment!